Newbie from Middle TN!

So, I went to Rural King today to return a drill bit, and walked out with two chicks. One's a black one that I think said "Australorp" on the sign (but it could have been another "A" word), and the other is a chipmunk-striped chick that I can't remember because I was in such an excited state I didn't really pay attention.

I have never raised chicks before. I once had these two small Japanese hens, that I got as adults years ago, but my friend neglected to put them up at night while I was out of town, and they became dinner for some lucky coyote. This time, I will make sure that doesn't happen, of course.

What have I gotten myself into? Aside from my already over-ambitious garden plans this year (seriously, y'all have no idea), I now have to build a coop when I didn't even plan to have chickens in the first place. I have to figure out a way to keep my dogs from messing with them when the chicks are grown and ready to go outside. Currently they're isolated in a room with a closed door - to keep both dogs and both cats (and my 3 year old daughter) away from them. I still have to get a container large enough to accommodate them in the next couple of weeks as they grow. *gulp*

I'm nervous but I'm being reassured that chickens aren't as hard as I think to care for. I'm mostly nervous because I live in a residential neighborhood, and even though I do have a fenced in yard, it's only chain link and therefore probably not tall enough to keep them in. I want so badly for this to work and for us to have fresh eggs. If it doesn't work, though, I know that I could find them a new home around here in no time at all.

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed and so I came here in hopes that I can learn quickly.

Okay, slow deep breaths - in through the nose out through the mouth. You'll be okay in no time.

The Learning center is a great place to start. Also read about raising chicks.

How old are your chicks?. After hatching they are usually kept in a brooder with a heat lamp, so the temperature at one side of the box will be 95 degrees. Each week lower it by 5 degrees. When they are fully feathered out - they can go to an outdoor coop and get acclimated to the climate.

The man at the store was very helpful, I picked up a lamp and feed and set up a place for them as soon as I got home. I got my thermometer in there and I'm monitoring the temps - I hope I have what they need right now.